From explicit messages to groping: What we know about Derek Dixon's sexual harassment lawsuit against Tyler Perry
Actor and screenwriter Derek Dixon has filed a $260 million sexual harassment lawsuit against filmmaker Tyler Perry in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging a series of unwanted advances, groping incidents, and an alleged attempt by Perry to use professional opportunities to conceal sexual misconduct. The claims span from 2019 to 2021 and include allegations of sexually explicit messages, coercive behavior, and inappropriate physical contact. Perry's legal team has denied the accusations, calling the lawsuit a 'scam' aimed at financial gain. In the 46-page complaint, Dixon paints Perry as someone who allegedly believed his power and success could entitle him to whatever he desired — including a secret sexual relationship. 'Mr. Perry sought the one thing his wealth and influence could not purchase — a sexual relationship with a man who would remain silent,' the suit states. According to the filing, Perry offered Dixon his first acting job in 2019 while Dixon was working at an events company. Later that year, Perry allegedly invited him to his Georgia home, served him drinks, and encouraged him to stay overnight. That evening, Perry reportedly entered Dixon's guest room and began groping him, despite Dixon making it clear he wasn't interested.
The lawsuit claims Perry continued sending sexually explicit texts and became more aggressive when Dixon ignored him. After Dixon joined the cast of Perry's BET series The Oval , the alleged harassment intensified. The suit accuses Perry of frequently calling or texting him, referring to him as a personal "pet," and making lewd remarks about his sex life. Dixon's character was initially written to be killed off at the end of the season, but Perry allegedly hinted that his fate could change depending on how he handled their 'relationship.' The suit claims Perry warned Dixon not to speak about their interactions with anyone on set.
Among the most serious allegations are two groping incidents in 2020, including one during a cast trip to the Bahamas, and a 2021 encounter at Perry's home in which he allegedly assaulted Dixon while he was naked.
Following that alleged incident, one of Perry's lawyers reportedly praised Dixon's performance on The Oval , saying 'Christmas came early,' and he was later given a raise.
The lawsuit also claims Perry bought the rights to Dixon's script Losing It as a form of leverage, with no intention of actually producing it. The show was filmed but never developed further. Perry allegedly used the project to manipulate Dixon, holding it over his head like 'the sword of Damocles.' Eventually, Perry offered Dixon a writing role, which Dixon declined. He later filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), though its status remains unclear.
In response, Perry's lawyer dismissed the claims as a baseless extortion attempt, saying: 'Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.'
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